After leading the team to 210 for four against Lucknow Super Giants with an undefeated century (108 n.o., 60b, 12×4, 3×6), Chennai Super Kings would have been optimistic about their chances at this point. However, LSG defeated the host by six wickets for the second time in four days on Tuesday at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium thanks to a remarkable unbeaten hundred (124 n.o, 63b 13×4, 6×6) from Marcus Stoinis, who startled the previously raucous crowd into stunned silence.
With 17 needed from the last over, Stoinis removed Mustafizur Rahman for a maximum over long-on and then collected a hat-trick of boundaries to finish the chase in fine style.
The host had the advantage at 88 for three in 11 overs, but Nicholas Pooran proved to be a useful ally for Stoinis, as he provided the chase a crucial boost with a 15-ball 34 (3×4, 2×6) in a knock full of his signature strokes through extra cover. Together, they scored 70 runs for the fourth wicket in just 34 balls.
Quinton de Kock was dismissed by Deepak Chahar in the opening over, which gave Lucknow’s chase a bad start. However, Stoinis played a brilliant game with restrained aggressiveness, picking his bowlers and target areas with accuracy.